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Multimatic 200 Questions

07-22-2012, 04:10 PM

I'm a former diesel truck mechanic who used to do some stick and oxy acetylene welding/brazing/cutting 40 years ago. I've played with a MIG machine a little bit in the last few months. I'm now retired and still do a lot of mechanical work (never stopped doing that sort of thing). I want to get back into welding and build my skills in stick, MIG and TIG and I'm looking for a multi-process welder.

Anyway, here's my questions:

1. Could those who have welded with the Multimatic 200 give me their impressions?

2. Has anyone welded aluminum with the Spoolmate 100? What do you think?

Please give me any feedback that you have as I've checked with two dealers here in Wichita, KS and nobody has one that I can even look at yet! Thanks in advance!

1. Could those who have welded with the Multimatic 200 give me their impressions?
Steve

The Multimatic is a very nice MIG welder. Arc characteristics pretty much identical whether you run on 230V or 115V. I absolutely love it and normally run it gas shielded (C25), .030 wire. It is very smooth and for such a small box it definitly feels like a bigger welder. It is very easy to MIG with. The adjustments for MIG are a bit limited (wire speed and voltage are it as far as I can tell). I haven't figured out how to adjust run-in (could be a bit faster - but its close for mild steel) and post flow seems to cut off fast (but no porosity seen in mild steel).

I have not tried TIG or stick but be warned it is not primary a TIG machine. No high frequency and from what I can tell, limited adjustments. But it does have a separate gas valve for TIG.

If you want to get serious about TIG, I would suggest going elsewhere. If you want a nice portable MIG, with occasional stick and occassional TIG (more like emergancy) go for it.

Everyone who has tried my 200 loves the MIG output. We had a big weld fest with the Boyscouts and aftwards some of the adults that weld all the time were comparing it to a Hobart 175. Time after time the description was "smooth". Not a lot of spatter. Very easy to make pretty welds. On 115 3/16" is about the limit (it will let you select 1/4" - autoset- but I'd suggest you pre-heat a bit - looked a bit ropey for first 1/4-1/2 of travel).

I bought mine and it took 3 weeks to arrive.

You need to compare it to a Miller 211 - might save yourself some money if the 211 is a better fit (note I didn't say "better" or "good enough" - they are different).

Comment

Con Fuse,
Thanks very much for your reply! I actually got to see a MultiMatic 200 for the first time today and I was impressed.

I'm looking for a welder that is small, very portable and that is a multiprocess welder that emphasizes MIG. I want to rebuild skills and acquire new ones. The Multimatic 211 looks to be a good machine, but it is physically much larger than what I'm looking for. I'll mostly be building some projects out of mild steel or doing some repair work.

I'd like to have the stick capability for occasional use. I plan to get the TIG contractor's kit and maybe the spoolgun for use as learning tools.

Comment

For anyone who would like to see a fairly decent video review of this welder, check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn2SCnFHMjY, The guy seems to have a moderate amount of experience as a welder and he's tried the welder in a variety of processes that it can do.

Comment

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a Multimatic 200 from Baker Gas on-line. They were great to deal with BTW. The welder arrived yesterday and I tried it out today (MIG mode) and I'm very impressed! I'm looking forward to getting some more practice, but this machine makes someone with modest skills look pretty decent right off the bat.

I haven't tried the stick mode yet, nor have I added the proper 220 outlets in my garage yet. I didn't buy the TIG contractor's kit now, but I like the option of adding it later.

It's a good, compact welder that's extremely easy to use!

Comment

For anyone who would like to see a fairly decent video review of this welder, check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn2SCnFHMjY, The guy seems to have a moderate amount of experience as a welder and he's tried the welder in a variety of processes that it can do.

I think watching paint dry is more exciting than this guys video.

Comment

I went ahead and bought the Multimatic 200 without the TIG torch and I've had it for about a week. I'm really amazed that I'm making really pretty decent MIG welds after a small amount of practice. I have a lot to learn, but the welder with the Elite AutoSet feature is super easy to use.

I sent in the rebate coupon for the free FX-30 ArcStation (promotion good through end of September) and it arrived today. The ArcStation looks to be a good, portable welding/fabrication table too.

Anyway, I'm a happy camper!

Comment

I know this is an old thread, but I have been using the multimatic 200 with the spoolgun for a few months. All I can say is I am a beginner, and I have seen guys make a living welding crappier than what I have done with this little welder.
The only problem I have is my bead appears cold and stands high at the start of my weld. After about 3/4" to 1", my bead lays proper and almost looks like a tig welded stack of nickels. I am welding 1/8" and 3/16" walled aluminum tubing only. Oh, and I am also suffering from a lot of black soot, but I understand it's normal, so I just brush off when done. So far I have not bothered to plug into anything other than my normal 115V outlet.

Comment

Steve I'm happy for you I have a mm211 and I was very impressed with the multimatic. Bakers Gas is local to me if you have any issues let me know I can advise you of who to get ahold of for problem resolution. As you said there aren't many places left with the level of customer service Bakers Has.

Comment

I have the same decision to make I'm unclear which welder to choose. I have been welding for 5 years now I'm not just a hobby welder I weld for a living but either at work or at home It's rare for me to be welding 1/2 inch steel. I usually weld from 16ga up to 1/4 inch steel anywhere from fence panels up to trailers.I love the portability of the multimatic 200 and I think it's sufficient power for my needs but I hate the prize or I'm thinking about the millermatic 211 which I hear nothing but good reviews . FYI I also sometimes get side jobs where I have to take welder out to the field.Any input is much appreciated, is the multimatic 200 good enough power for me?

Comment

Juan Carlos,
I think that the Multimatic does an exceptional job on 1/4" to 3/8" mild steel when it is plugged into 220 V. It even does fine on 1/8" to 3/16" steel on 110 V. I haven't tried any flux core wire yet, but I plan to this summer so that I won't have to take any gas to weld on MIG on some occasions away from my shop. I also plan to compare the flux core versus stick results.

The technology of an inverter to convert variable input voltages into smooth DC (either CC or CV) and the microprocessor control and display of the welding processes are the things that allow light weight, small size and portability in the Multimatic 200. These newer technologies are what drive up the relative costs and yet allow the portability. If you didn't want the portability, and only wanted a MIG machine, I'd just go with the 211. But in that you do want the portability and mostly weld 1/4" and under steel, I'd say you couldn't beat the Multimatic. In five years, you'll still be glad you have the machine and you'll have forgotten about the price.